Middlesbrough take upper hand against Chelsea in EFL Cup semi-final | OneFootball

Middlesbrough hold the upper hand in their EFL Cup semi-final with Chelsea after Tuesday’s dogged first-leg victory.

Scorers: Hackney 37′

Cole Palmer had enjoyed the best early opening after a defensive mistake by Jonny Howson allowed him to steal in but dragged a shot wide of the target.

Boro soon made the Blues pay for that miss when Hayden Hackney slipped the ball home from Isiah Jones’ cross for the opener just six minutes later.

Palmer spurned another chance as the visitors went in search of an equaliser during first-half added time as he blazed over with an open goal at his mercy.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side continued to knock on the door after the interval as Palmer, Mykhailo Mudryk and Raheem Sterling all fluffed their lines.

But the Londoners will have it all to do when they welcome their Championship counterparts for the return leg at Stamford Bridge on 23 January.